NATO Ends Combat Command in Afghanistan
December 8, 2014
In a ceremony in Kabul, United States-led NATO forces closed its combat command in Afghanistan. The NATO flag was lowered and put away, marking the withdrawal of most foreign troop in Afghanistan more than 13 years after the country was invaded in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The intention behind the invasion was to crush the terrorist organization behind the attacks–al-Qa’ida–and to capture its leader–Osama bin Laden.
NATO forces quickly brought down Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled government, which had sheltered al-Qa’ida. However, much of the al-Qa’ida organization escaped into other countries, particularly across the border into Pakistan. (American military forces finally tracked down and killed bin Laden in Pakistan in 2011.)
A United States Marine works with an Afghan soldier on marksmanship. Training will be the primary mission of remaining U.S. forces in Afghanistan. (Department of Defense)
After 13 years of intermittent combat, the Taliban remains an active force in Afghanistan, regularly launching offensives and carrying out terrorist attacks. The United States currently plans to maintain 13,000 troops there. The remaining U.S. forces are to continue the training of the Afghan army.
Additional World Book articles:
- Afghanistan War
- Terrorism: America’s New Enemy (a special report)
